REV, T. KNIGHT'S ADDRESS. 183 



ground liable to be overflowed by every flood of the river, and hence an 

 uncertain and mutable station. Having nearly reached Fireburn Mill, 

 the party returned to Birgham, in order that they might pay their respects 

 to the Misses Bell, but they were disappointed of that pleasure, as neither 

 of those ladies were at home. 



The walk was now directed north wards to Ferney-rig Marsh, where 

 the only plant of rarity noticed was the (Enanthe Phellandrium. 



After dinner, the minutes of the preceding meeting having been gone 

 over, a list of plants new to, or of rare occurrence in Berwickshire, found 

 by Mr Hardy of Penmanshiel was read ; and the Rev. Mr Cunningham 

 gave orally a sketch of the early history of Professor Robison, which he 

 was requested to put upon paper for the use of the Club. 



Specimens of Centaurea scabiosa, gathered at Sprouston, Roxburgh- 

 shire, but on the very limits of the county, and close to Berwickshire, 

 were exhibited by the Rev. John Baird. 



Such is a slight sketch of the proceedings of the Society during the 

 last year, so far as the minutes of our worthy secretaries have made me 

 acquainted with them. And now, in conclusion, I trust I may be per- 

 mitted to express a hope that those distinguished members of the Club, 

 who were the chief instruments in bringing it into existence, and have 

 since continued its useful operations, will persevere in their interesting 

 researches. With respect to many amongst us, indeed, it may be said 

 that we are living on the labour of others that the advantage is all on 

 our side, as we have as yet done nothing towards extending the informa- 

 tion of the Society : this we feel to be indeed too true. But still we trust 

 those gentlemen whose taste and talents qualify them in an eminent degree 

 for pursuing the object of the Club in a scientific manner, will neither 

 grudge us the pleasure we derive from the meetings, nor the instruction 

 we gather from their conversation. 



To them, however, there is every encouragement held out In the suc- 

 cess of their labours hitherto, and in the wide and diversified field which 

 Nature has spread before them. We doubt not that in Natural History, 

 as in every other branch of science, much remains yet to be explored, 

 and who knows what fresh wonder it may be the lot of some member of 

 this little society to bring to light. But, however this may be, the study 

 of Natural History, and the pursuit of it in the manner adopted by this 

 Club, is not only a source of innocent and rational amusement, but a use- 

 ful and delightful exercise of our reasoning faculties. And the great 

 Creator of the Universe never spread his works around us in such varied 

 abundance that we should pass them by without observation, or without 

 endeavouring to draw from them lessons of wisdom, and fresh motives to 

 adoration and praise. He seems indeed to have stored his works with 

 treasures on purpose that the mind of roan might explore and develope 

 them ; and he seems expressly to have concealed many wonders from the 



